Flushometer.



P. M. ASHLEY.

FLUSHOMETER.

APPLICATION FILED MAB.8, 1899.

Patented July 19,1910.

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WITNESSES: INVENTOR ATTORNEY 7n: nmzsus PETERS cm, wnsnmcrun, n c.

F. Ml ASHLEY.

FLUSHOMETER.

APPLICATION FILED MAB. 8, 1899.

Patented July 19, 1910.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

n mmms METER: co WASHINGTON, n cy FRANK ivr. ASHLEY, on NEW YORK, n. Y.

FLUSHOMETER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed March 8, 1899.

Patented July 19, 1910.

Serial No. 708,180.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK M. AsriLnY, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York city, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Flushometers, of which the following is a. full, clear, and exact specification.

This invention relates to flushometers, and its object is to construct an improved flushometer which shall be economic in construction and simple and efficient in operation.

The apparatus herein described is designed particularly for use in connection with water closets to flush the bowl of the same after use, but it will be understood of course that it may be put to any other use in which it is desirable that a fluid shall flow from a given source of supply with great velocity at first, then with a steady flow, and finally after the main flow has been cut off to allow a small given quantity of the fluid to pass. In an apparatus of this character, it is essential that the operation of the parts be accurate and positive, and shall be capable of being readily removed for cleaning or repairing purposes.

The invention herein described possesses various features of advantage which will more clearly appear hereinafter, and which will be pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings in which I have illustrated one of the forms which the invention may take in practice, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a water closet having my improved fiushometer applied thereto, Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the flushometer, Fig. 3 is a detail top view of the adjusting ring, Fig. 4 is a top view of the end of the inlet pipe, showing the flange thereon, and Fig. 5 is a detail sectional view showing the attachment of the operating handle to its link. Fig. 6 is a detail sectional view showing the manner of attaching the operating link to the valve stem.

In the drawings, 1 represents a pipe connected with the supply system of the build ing in which the device is to be installed, or with any other suitable source of water supply, and formed upon the lower end thereof is an outwardly projecting flange 2, carrying a downwardly projecting annular extension 3. A wall 4 is connected with the end of the annular extension 3, and with the same forms a chamber 5, in Which is located a suitable guideway 6 opposite the opening of the inlet pipe 1 and in the guideay (3 is mounted a valve 7 adapted to be normally held in position against the end of the inlet pipe 1 to close the same by means of a spring 8. An inverted bell is adapted to snugly fit and slide upon the extension 3, thereby forming a chamber 10. A cylinder 11 loosely surrounds the bell 9, and at a short distance above and below the same is connected with the inlet pipe 1 by a wall 12, and with the outlet pipe 13 by a wall 141-, thereby forming a chamber in which are located all of the parts above described. The outlet pipe 13 is connected with the bowl of the water closet, or with the place which it is desired to have flushed.

A valve 15 is adapted to normally close the outlet opening 13 and also serve as a seating for a secondary valve 16, which latter is preferably mounted upon a stem 17 connected with the bell 9 and adapted to operate both the secondary valve and the main valve 15. A convenient arrangement for this is illustrated in the drawing, wherein the stem 17 slides through the valve 15, and in its upward movement is adapted first to raise the secondary valve 16 from the valve 15, and then to raise the valve 15 from its seat. The operating handle 18 is suitably mounted upon a shaft 19 in the casing, and a lever 20 is carried by the shaft 19, the lever 20 being connected with the stem 17 by a link 21, or other suitable means.

In the wall 4 is a check valve 22 adapted to permit passage of fluid from chamber 10 into the chamber 5, and in the flange2 a number of openings 23, 23, are formed to permit passage of fluid between chamber 5 and the chamber 24: formed by the casing 11. An opening 25 is formed in the wall a to permit passage between chamber 10 and chamber 5. This opening should be capable of adjustment, and I have therefore shown an adjustable stem 26, having a thread 27 engaging a similar thread in the annular flange 2, and coned at its end which is adapted to engage a valve seating formed in the wall 4. This opening should under normal conditions be kept partly open.

For the purpose of regulating the pressure of the water flowing through the device, I provide a regulating ring or other suitable means for the purpose. As shown in the drawings the regulating ring comprises a ring 27 preferably made in two or more parts, and being adapted to rest upon the annular flange 2, the ring 27 being provided with a plurality of openings 28 adapted to 5 correspond withthe openings 23 in the annular flange. The regulatin ring is adapted to be held in position by an annular flange 29 formed upon the inlet pipe 1. IVit-h the construction here shown the ring may be placed in position by slippingone part at a time first under the annular shoulder 29 and then allowing the ring to drop into position. By turning the ring 27 upon the flange 2 the size of the outlet openings 23 may be regulated at will.

29 is a screw cap carried by the wall 12 of the casing 11, which may be removed to allow the stem 26 to be set.

In the operation of the device, when it is desired to flush the bowl, the handle 18 is pulled forward, thus raising the lever 20, and by means of link 21 forcing the valve stem 17 upward. This movement at once opens the secondary valve 16 and at the 25 same time forces such fiuid as has accumulated in chamber 10 as will be hereinafter described, up through the valve 22, and through the openings 23, which openings being more or less contracted, cause the water to pass therefrom with considerable rapidity. The water then flows into the chamber 24 down outside of the wall 9 and through the secondary valve 16 into the pipe 13 and thence into the bowl. A further forward movement of the lever 18 causes the projections 18 on stem 17 to raise the valve 15, and also raises the chamber 9 so far that its end will come in contact with the wall 1, and this stops the upward movement of the valve and relieves the chamber 5 of the extra pressure thus put upon it and allows the spring 8 to be overcome and the valve 7 opened by the pressure of the water in the inlet pipe 1. The water from the inlet pipe will then flow through the valve 7, openings 23, chamber 2 1, and through the main valve 15 into outlet pipe 13 and thence into the bowl. When the handle 18 is let go the casing 9 and the main and secondary valves begin to drop by gravity, the movement being permitted and regulated by the flow of water from chamber 5 through opening 25 into chamber 10. I/Vhen the casing and attached stem drop far. enough the main valve will be seated thus shutting off the principal flow of the water, but the valve 7 still being open and there being still considerable water in the chamber 24, the flow through the secondary valve will continue, giving the de- 0 sired after flush, until the casing 9 drops to I do not herein claim broadly the feature of preventing the water from flowing back into the system after it has once entered the flushometer, that feature being claimed in a co-pending application, Serial No. 174,689, filed April 27 1899.

It will be noted that after the fluid has once entered the fiushometer through the valve 7, it will be unable to return through the inlet pipe. It will therefore be impossible for any water to be drawn from the supply system after once having entered the fiushometer or the bowl, and all danger of contamination of the water supply is there by avoided. Furthermore it will be noted that the casing 11 may be extended upward any desired length, thereby enlarging the chamber 24: and providing a storage tank for the water. This may be found suitable in cases where a number of the devices are to be installed adjacent to each other and fed from the same source of water supply. It will also be observed that by simply unscrewing the wall 12 from the casing 11 the inlet pipe, and 'the chambers 5 and 10 carried thereby may be easily drawn out of the casing 11, thereby permitting every part of the device to be cleaned without difficulty.

Having thus described my invention I declare that what I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent, is

1. In a flushometer, the combination with an inlet pipe, of a chamber communicating therewith, a casing adapted to slide upon the walls of said chamber, thereby forming a second chamber, a check valve between said two chambers, a chamber inclosing both of said first named chambers and communieating with an outlet pipe, a communication between said first named chamber and said last named chamber, and a valve between the last named chamber and the outlet pipe, substantially as described.

2. In a fiushometer the combination with an inlet pipe, of a chamber coimnunicating therewith, a casing adapted to slide upon the walls of said chamber, thereby forming a second chamber, a check valve between said two chambers, a chamber inclosing both of said first named chambers and communicating with an outlet pipe, a communication between said first named chamber and said last named chamber, means for varying the size of said communication, and a valve between said last named chamber and the outlet pipe, substantially as described.

3. In a fiushometer the combination with an inlet pipe, of a chamber communicating therewith, a casing adapted to slide upon the walls of said chamber, thereby forming a second chamber, a check valve between said two chambers, a chamber inclosing both of said first named chambers and communicating with an outlet pipe, a communication between said first named chamber and said I therewith, a check valve between the inlet pipe and said chamber, a casing adapted to slide upon the walls of said chamber thereby forming a second chamber, a check valve between said two chambers, a chamber inclosing both of said first named chambers and communicating with an outlet pipe, a communication between said first named chamber and said last named chamber, and a valve between the last named chamber and the outlet pipe, substantially as described.

5. In a fiushometer the combination with an inlet pipe, of a chamber communicating therewith, a casing adapted to slide upon the walls of said chamber, thereby forming a second chamber, a check valve between said two chambers, a chamber inclosing both of said first named chambers and communicating with an outlet pipe, a communication between said first named chamber and said last named chamber, means for varying the size of said communication, and a valve between said last named chamber and the outlet pipe, substantially as described.

6. In a fiushometer the combination with an inlet pipe, of a chamber communicating therewith, a casing adapted to slide upon the walls of said chamber, thereby forming an expansion chamber, a check valve between said two chambers, a chamber inclosing both of said chambers and communicating with an outlet pipe, a communication between said first named chamber and said last named chamber, a main and a secondary valve between said last named chamber and the outlet opening, said secondary valve closing the outlet under the expanding movement of said sliding chamber, and means for operating said main and secondary valves, substantially as described.

7. In a fiushometer, the combination with the inlet pipe, of a cylindrical chamber communicating therewith, a bell-shaped casing adapted to slide on said cylindrical chamber and thereby form a second chamber, a check valve between said two chambers, a casing adapted to inclose both of said chambers, an opening between said first named chamber and the chamber formed by said last named casing, an outlet pipe and a valve between said last named chamber and said outlet pipe, substantially as described.

8. In a fiushometer, the combination with an inlet pipe, of a chamber communicating therewith, an expansible chamber, a check valve and an independent restricted opening between said chambers, said check valve and said opening controlling the expansion of said chamber, a casing inclosing both of said chambers and communicating with the first named chamber, an outlet from the easing, and a valve the movement of which is in part governed by the expansion of the expansible chamber, substantially as described.

9. A fiushometer having a casing provided with an inlet and outlet passage, a main and secondary valve bot-h located contiguous to and controlling said outlet passage and means for opening said valves and closing said main valve in advance of the other, means for regulating the rapidity of the closure of the said valves, said main valve being provided with a valve seat on which said secondary valve normally rests, and means for regulating the rapidity of the flow of fluid through said casing.

10. In a flushometer, the combination of a casing provided with an inlet and outlet passage, a main and secondary valve both contiguous to and controlling said outlet passage, a valve seat on the top of the main valve on which the secondary valve normally rests, a stem projecting from the secondary valve through the main valve, a lever, means connecting said lever and stem and adapted to operate said valves, means for regulating the rapidity of the closure of said valves, means for regulating the r;- pidity of the flow of fluid through said casing, and means for closing said main valve before the secondary valve.

11. In a fiushometer, the combination of a casing having an inlet and outlet passage, a check valve controlling said inlet, a. main and a secondary valve for the outlet passage, both of said valves being adapted to seat by gravity and said main valve being seated before the secondary valve, a lever adapted to open, first the secondary valve and then the main valve, means for regulating the lowering of said valves, and means for regulating the flow of fluid through the casing.

12. In a flushometer, the combination of a chamber having inlet and outlet passages, a main and a secondary valve for the outlet passage, said valves being adapted to be seated by ravity and the main valve being seated betbre the secondary valve is seated, a lever adapted to open the secondary valve and then the main valve, an expansible chamber within said above named chamber for controlling the closing of said valves, and means for re ulating the expansion and contraction or said expansiblc chamber, substantially as described.

13. A fiushometer having a casing provided with an inlet and outlet passage, a main and secondary valve contributing to close said outlet passage, means for opening said valves and closing said main valve in advance of the other and means for regulating the rapidity of the closure of said valves, said secondary valve being opened in advance of said main valve.

14. In a flushometer, the combination of a casing having an inlet and an outlet, a main valve closing the lower outlet in said casing, a secondary valve carried by the main valve and adapted to operate the main valve when actuated manually, and means for closing the main valve in advance of the secondary valve, and a chamber also in said casing and adapted to be expanded coincident with the closing movement of the secondary valve.

15. A flushometer having a chamber having inlet and outlet passages, a main and a secondary valve for said outlet passage, means acting to first open the secondary valve and then the main valve, means for closing the main valve and then the secondary valve, and means for regulating the rapidity of the flow of fluid through said chamber, both said closing and regulating means being located and operable above said main and secondary valves.

16. In a flushometer, the combination with an inlet pipe, of a chamber communicating therewith, a casing adapted to slide.upon the walls of said chamber, thereby forming an expansion chamber, a second casing inclosing said first named chambers and having an outlet, and a valve adapted to close said outlet under the expanding movement of said sliding casing.

17. In a flushometer, the combination with an inlet pipe, of a chamber communicating therewith, a casing adapted to slide upon the walls of said chamber, thereby forming an expansion chamber, a second casing inclosing said first named chambers provided with an outlet, a valve adapted to close said outlet under the expanding movement of said sliding casing, and means for manually operating said valve.

' 18. In a flushometer, the combination with an inlet pipe, of a chamber communicating therewith, a casing adapted to slide upon the walls of said chamber, thereby forming an expansion chamber, means for admitting fluid to said second chamber, means for liberating fluid therefrom, a casing inclosing said first named chambers and provided with an outlet, a valve adapted to close said outlet under the expanding movement of said sliding casing, and means for operating said valve.

19. In a flushometer, a casing having a chamber and an inlet thereto, a casing adapted to slide upon the walls of said first casing, thereby forming an expansion chamber, a casing inclosing said first named casings and provided with an outlet, a valve, the lowering of which is controlled by the expanding movement of said sliding casing and which controls said outlet, means for regulating the rapidity of the movement of said second casing, and means for raising the same.

20. In a flushometer, the combination of a casing, inlet and outlet pipes communicating therewith, a normally closed valve in the inlet pipe adapted to open by pressure there-' on, a chamber inclosing said valve, a casing adapted to slide on the outer wall of said chamber and to be actuated manually, a valve controlling the outlet pipe, and means for operating said valve and last named ca sing.

21. A flushometer comprising a casing having an inlet, a chamber located in said casing provided with an opening communieating with the interior of said first named casing, a second and movable casing adapt 

